186-87 GIRLS’ BASKETBALL PREVIEW : Big Surprise: Brea Should Rise to Top Once Again

There was a time when choosing Orange County’s best high school girls’ basketball team required little or no thought. You simply wrote down Brea-Olinda and looked like a genius a few months later when the Wildcats made their trillionth trip to a Southern Section final.

Remember those times? Of course you do, because those times were yesterday, they are today, and from all indications they will be tomorrow.

Brea-Olinda is once again the class of Orange County girls’ basketball. The Wildcats have appeared in four Southern Section finals over the past four seasons, and won the 3-A title last season.

They are ranked nationally, will play other national powers in a New York state Christmas tournament and come January will play the junior national team of Scotland.

They go about things a little differently at Brea, and that’s why it will probably remain the top program around for some time.

“I can’t see anyone coming close to them any time soon,” said John Hattrup, Mission Viejo coach. “They have a system over there that isn’t matched anywhere else. Mark (Trakh) did a good job of cultivating it and now it works like a machine.”

Mark Trakh is the Brea-Olinda coach. The tight-knit community program he has built begins with a police league for fifth- and sixth-grade girls, and continues with the Brea junior high program that Trakh oversees.

“The first time I see a kid is usually when she gets to high school,” Hattrup said. “Mark will tell me, ‘I’ve got this great fifth grader right now, she’s going to be tough,’ and all I can say is, ‘Uh-huh,’ ”

Before Trakh arrived in 1978, Brea girls basketball had a record of 4-49. Since then, well, you know the rest.

“I believe our success breeds more success,” Trakh said. “I have fifth and sixth graders who come to our games and tell me how they can’t wait to play for Brea-Olinda. The team is something the whole community is proud of, and everyone wants to be a part of it.”

Here’s a closer look at girls’ high school basketball in Orange County:

1. BREA- OLINDA

First, the down side. Point guard Char Scheussler graduated.

But now . . .

- Of Brea’s four returning starters--Kristen Blair, Susan Tousey, Carrie Egan and Kristen McPhee--each earned either first- or second-team All-Orange League honors.

- There are three hungry players ready to take Scheussler’s place, including a top-flight transfer from Salt Lake City.

Trakh says that he will move Blair, who played off-

guard last season, to point guard to begin the season. But waiting in the wings is Katie Swain and transfer Terese Cross.

- Egan, The Times’ Player of the Year last season, keeps getting better.

This summer, she became the first female player from Orange County to be named to Street & Smith’s preseason All-America team.

- Little publicized forward McPhee could one day be a better player than Egan.

That’s a big if, and it wouldn’t happen until both were in college. But consider that McPhee is 6-1, moves like a guard, has a decent perimeter shot and is tough inside.

- Tousey, a center, is mad and she’s not going to take it anymore.

In her first season as a full-time starter, Tousey (6-3) was the difference as Brea finally overcame Foothill, which the Wildcats had lost to in two previous finals. She averaged 12 points and 9 rebounds a game, but some were critical of her play as being too soft.

Trakh said Tousey is tired of being knocked around, and is prepared to be more physical. With another season to develop, and just a little bit of a mean streak, Tousey could be impressive by the season’s end.

2. EDISON

OK. Stop with the short jokes.

The Chargers hustled, dived and ran their way to a 21-7 record last season. They did it with a backcourt combination whose combined height is 10-6.

They did it with a 5-9 center.

They did it in the tough Sunset League.

And now they have a transfer from Elsinore High, Kristi Smith. That’s 6-foot 1-inch Kristi Smith. That’s legitimate center Kristi Smith who makes Edison a legitimate contender for the 4-A championship.

The all-league backcourt of Michelle Hennessey (5-2) and Denise Ogburn (5-4) returns. Hennessey is a whirl of motion. Running, jabbing, she is one of the county’s quickest players. Ogburn is a good ballhandler who becomes exceptional when operating the break.

Together they form what might be the county’s premier backcourt. Dave White, Edison coach, said that even with Smith, the Chargers will still utilize the skills of their backcourt and run whenever they can.

3. MISSION VIEJO

The Diablos are the county’s best big team. Four of five starters return from last seasons’ 25-4 team that advanced to the 3-A quarterfinals. Three of the four returnees are 5-10 or taller.

Back is Michele Reid, a 5-10 forward and the South Coast League’s Most Valuable Player last season. Reid averaged 13.6 points a game and made 57% of her shots. Lori Totosz, the Diablos’ 6-1 center, averaged 14.6 points. Tricia Stringham (5-10) also plays forward.

Add to that Colleen Amaya (6-2), who will be Reid’s backup this season, and we’re talking size.

Even with their size, John Hattrup, Mission Viejo coach, said his team will again run when possible.

A big reason is that point guard Christie Wile returns. Wile led the county in assists, averaging 7.7 a game last season.

4. KATELLA

Mickey McAulay took the Katella coaching job four years ago when she was 22. At the time, the Katella program had nowhere to go but nowhere.

The Knights had won two games in the last two seasons.

Figuring she had nothing to lose but more games, McAulay cleaned house. She discouraged players she didn’t deem dedicated and redesigned the program in her image. That is, enthusiastic and aggressive.

What emerged last season was a 21-4 team that went to the playoffs for the first time.

McAulay returns all her starters from last season.

All-Southern Section forward Kelli Johnson (6-1) led the Knights in scoring, averaging 12.7 points a game. Also back are forwards Becky Wayland and Serenda Valdez along with guard Julie Standering. Each was an All-Empire League selection.

A sign that McAulay’s program will remain successful for some time is Joni Easterly, a 5-10 sophomore who returns as a starter.

5. MATER DEI

Just more of the same for the Monarchs last season.

Win 20 games, win the Angelus League and do it all without any size.

Don’t look for things to change much this season.

The Monarchs are favored to win their sixth straight Angelus League title. A lot will depend on the shooting of forward Geri Gainey, who averaged 15.2 points and 5.2 rebounds last season. Gainey will move to her more natural position of guard this season, which should allow her to create more offense.

Gainey, the Angelus League’s Most Valuable Player last season, already has signed to play at Fresno State next season.

Also back for Mater Dei are Holly Formaneck and Debbie Wagner.

One welcome newcomer will Kelly O’Brien, a 5-11 sophomore who will play center. Though the Monarchs need O’Brien’s size, a lot of their success will depend on how quickly she can assimilate.

6. ESPERANZA

Four starters return from last seasons’s 20-6 team that tied Los Alamitos for the Empire League title.

The one very notable loss is All-Southern Section forward Sharon Warmus, a three-year starter who was the team leader.

One player expected to fill the void is 6-1 center Karin Davidson, who averaged 11 points and 10 rebounds last season. Davidson, a junior, will have to increase her offensive output this season.

Laura Jones returns at guard. Jones (5-9) may be one of the county’s best athletes. She plays volleyball and was selected to participate in soccer at the United States Olympic Festival.

Kerri Dalla Rosa, a 5-10 forward, was Esperanza’s sixth man last season but will move into the starting lineup.

Warmus’ position will be filled by Jennifer Harney, a 5-8 freshman.

Harney will become the first freshman to start on varsity in Hill’s six years at Esperanza. 7. LOS ALAMITOS

The Griffins, who were 18-8 last season, surprised more than a few when they tied Esperanza for the Empire League title.

Last seasons’ team depended on the all-league backcourt of Mary Reis and Kelli Moore, both of whom return this season.

Reis is an excellent ballhandler who did a great job of getting the ball to Moore, one of the county’s best perimeter shooters.

Moore averaged 18 points, many from 18 feet or farther. Moore, an All-Southern Section tennis player, uses her superior speed and quickness to free herself for jump shots.

Los Alamitos has a set of tall additions this season, as Jennifer Ensley (6-2) and Dianne Sands (6-0) will start in a double-post offense.

8. LA HABRA

The Highlanders return four starters from last season’s team that went 24-5 and won yet another Freeway League title.

Leading the way is Robin Seabrook, a 6-0 forward who many say is potentially the county’s best player. Last year as a sophomore, Seabrook averaged 21.5 points and 17.8 rebounds. She is strong and quick inside. Her only problem may be that she also is an outstanding volleyball player, which puts a strain on how much time she can devote to basketball.

The Highlanders also return Adele Alvarez, a 6-1 center who averaged 11 points and 7.5 rebounds last season.

Also returning are Michelle Reeves and Stacy Katayama.

9. FOOTHILL

That Foothill will not be as strong as previous seasons is a given. Previous seasons included trips to Southern Section finals with proven players.

The Knights lost four of the five starters that lost to Brea-Olinda in the 3-A final last season.

The only returning player is guard Robin Welch (5-7). Sue Davis (6-0), one of the first players off the bench last season, will move into the starting lineup.

Even though it may be a bit of a down season for the Knights, don’t expect any problems in the Century League. They should win the league title without much difficulty.

However, problems will start when Foothill moves into the playoffs, that is the 4-A playoffs. The Century League has been upgraded to 4-A in girls’ basketball.

It seems a year late for Foothill, which would have been competitive in the 4-A division the past few seasons. But this season, unless a star emerges, the Knights could have their problems.

10. MARINA

Though Mike Thornton, Marina coach, will be the last to admit it, there could be some big things brewing for the Vikings this season.

They return four starters from a team that finished fourth in the tough Sunset League.

The top returnee is junior Dawn Charroin, a 6-1 all-league center who averaged 14.5 points and 9.8 rebounds. Charroin is strong inside and also has a decent outside touch.

Also back is Temre Kuester, who was a second-team all-league selection after battling with illness most of last season.

Kuester, a senior and three-year starter, was a first-team selection as a sophomore. Thornton said that Kuester is healthy and he expects her to return to form.

Also returning are Liberty Brewster and Kathy Stupper.

THE COUNTY’S BEST

Karin Davidson (Esperanza) 6-1, center: Figures to be one of the county’s top underclassmen this season. Averaged 11 points and 10 rebounds a game last season. Carrie Egan (Brea-Olinda) 5-8, forward: The county’s premier perimeter shooter and player. A two-time All-Southern Section selection who averaged 18 points and 8 rebounds. Geri Gainey (Mater Dei) 5-7, guard: Played forward last season, but will move to more natural position at guard. Angelus League MVP last season, averaged 15.2 points and 5 rebounds a game. Melissa Handley (Fountain Valley) 5-9, forward: Averaged 12.5 points a game last season. Emerged as one of the county’s most aggressive defensive players. Michelle Hennessey (Edison) 5-2, guard: A four-year starter and an All-Sunset League selection last season. Extremely quick, led Edison in steals. Kelli Johnson (Katella) 6-1, forward: An all-league selection and one of five returning starters for the Knights. Averaged 12.7 points a game last season. Kelli Moore (Los Alamitos) 5-5 guard: Possesses one of the best outside shots in the county. Averaged 18 points a game, many from beyond 18 feet. Denise Ogburn (Edison) 5-4, guard: A first-team All-Sunset League selection last season after averaging 15 points a game. Exceptional ballhandler. Carolyn Osato (Loara)5-9, guard: A four-year starter, Osato is an excellent ballhandler and defender. Averaged 12 points a game last season. Michelle Reid (Mission Viejo) 5-10, forward: South Coast League Most Valuable Player last season. Averaged 13.6 points a game and made 57% of her shot attempts. Suzette Sargeant (Orange) 6-2, center: One of county’s top five players. Averaged 23 points and 14 rebounds a game last season. Robin Seabrook (La Habra) 6-0, forward: An inside player who relies on superior strength and jumping ability. Averaged 21.1 points and 17.8 rebounds a game last season. Vicki Silva (Fullerton) 5-8, forward: Averaged 18.7 points a game last season. Was big reason Fullerton managed to finish second in the FreewayLeague. Kristi Smith (Edison) 6-1 center: Transfer from Elsinore High School. Extremely mobile and aggressive. As effective outside as inside. Best frontcourt player in county at running the court. Susan Tousey (Brea-Olinda) 6-3, center: By midseason, could become one of the premier postplayers in the county. Averaged 12 points and 9 rebounds last season, her first as a full-time starter. Christie Wile (Mission Viejo) 5-6, guard: Led county by averaging 7.7 assists a game. Extremely quick. Exceptional on the break.